With Alex Song almost certainly heading back to Barcelona at the end of his season-long loan deal, the Hammers will need another athletic midfielder to take his place - and it seems that Obiang is seen a the ideal replacement.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino will be pleased with the contributions of central midfielders Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason this season, but Paulinho, Moussa Dembele and Etienne Capoue have offered little, leaving Pochettino to consider other options.

Obiang would certainly bring a more physical aspect to the Tottenham midfield, but with West Ham apparently close to a deal, they may have to move quickly - and possibly better West Ham's offer - to bring him to White Hart Lane.

Missing out to one of their London rivals for a player they have been pursuing for some time would be a blow to West Ham, and they now have to hope that they can see off late interest from Tottenham to secure Obiang's signature.

Olly Dawes

Olly is a Sports Management graduate and aspiring journalist, with most of his work surrounding football or NFL. He has formed two of his own sites, as well as contributing to a number of others before starting with Here Is The City.